Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

What is a Saint?What is a Saint?

Saints are not simply good people who have realized their potential. Saints are people in whom God makes his dwelling place; they are divinized humans.

Saints are not simply good people who have realized their potential. Saints are people in whom God makes his dwelling place; they are divinized humans.

Avila, SpainAvila, Spain

Teresa was born in central Spain in 1515 and she would live until 1582.

Teresa was born in central Spain in 1515 and she would live until 1582.

Avila, SpainAvila, Spain

By the time she was 23 she was beginning to have the mystical experiences that would culminate only 12 years later into a life of steady and habitual contemplation of God.

By the time she was 23 she was beginning to have the mystical experiences that would culminate only 12 years later into a life of steady and habitual contemplation of God.

Teresa’s Mystical DoctrineTeresa’s Mystical Doctrine

“The aim and end of human life is Union with God, it is the transformation of our being and its divinization.”

“The aim and end of human life is Union with God, it is the transformation of our being and its divinization.”

Teresa’s Mystical DoctrineTeresa’s Mystical Doctrine

1. The omnipresence of God

1. The omnipresence of God

Teresa’s Mystical DoctrineTeresa’s Mystical Doctrine

1. The omnipresence of God

2. Her way of life and religious disciplines are based on the idea of friendship.

1. The omnipresence of God

2. Her way of life and religious disciplines are based on the idea of friendship.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

Teresa said the image of a castle was given to her and it looked like a diamond with seven rooms moving inward.

Teresa said the image of a castle was given to her and it looked like a diamond with seven rooms moving inward.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

The first three rooms are the rooms where the beginner learns to bring their life into conformity with God. This preparation is preliminary to the mystical journey proper.

The first three rooms are the rooms where the beginner learns to bring their life into conformity with God. This preparation is preliminary to the mystical journey proper.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

In the fourth room our wills rest in the love of God, and even if the mind continues to turn and think, we are able through the grace of Christ to just let go and sink into this deeper awareness of Spirit.

In the fourth room our wills rest in the love of God, and even if the mind continues to turn and think, we are able through the grace of Christ to just let go and sink into this deeper awareness of Spirit.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

In the fifth room is the prayer of union. This is where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. God is the cocoon.

In the fifth room is the prayer of union. This is where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. God is the cocoon.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

The sixth room is the room of spiritual betrothal. It is a time of great testing, but also awakening. The mystic gains a deeper, experiential understanding of the mysteries of God.

The sixth room is the room of spiritual betrothal. It is a time of great testing, but also awakening. The mystic gains a deeper, experiential understanding of the mysteries of God.

The Interior CastleThe Interior Castle

The seventh room, the room of God himself, is the room of spiritual marriage. This is where the human spirit becomes one with God so that it can never be separated.

The seventh room, the room of God himself, is the room of spiritual marriage. This is where the human spirit becomes one with God so that it can never be separated.

ConclusionConclusion

“The Lord doesn’t look at the greatness of our works as at the love with which they are done.”

“The Lord doesn’t look at the greatness of our works as at the love with which they are done.”